Cardinal Carlo Caffarra, the archbishop emeritus of Bologna and one of the original four cardinals to sign the dubia sent to Pope Francis, has died suddenly at the age of 79.

The cardinal, who led the diocese of Bologna for nearly 12 years from late 2003 until October 2015, passed away this morning after a long illness, according to the Italian bishops' newspaper, Avvenire. The sound of the bells in the Bologna archdiocese announced news of the cardinal's death.

Arguably the Church’s leading expert on marriage and the family for decades, Pope St. John Paul II gave Cardinal Caffarra the mandate to found the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in 1981.

Benedict XVI elevated him to cardinal in 2006, and together with Cardinals Walter Brandmüller, Raymond Burke and Joachim Meisner (who died in July), he signed the dubia — five straight-forward questions put to Pope Francis last September aimed at clarifying parts of his apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia. (See Cardinal Burke's tribute here).

Both he and Cardinal Meisner died without receiving an acknowledgement or any form of reply to the dubia. His letter to Francis on behalf of the four cardinals requesting an audience also received no response.

Born in Samboseto di Busseto, in the province of Parma but in the diocese of Fidenza, Cardinal Caffarra was ordained priest in 1961, specialized in canon law and moral theology before focusing on exploring themes of marriage, family and human procreation in the 1970s.

He stressed he was driven to devote his time to this area due to requests made "by many married and engaged couples who wanted to be introduced to the great Christian view of marriage” in the years of discussion that followed the publication of Blessed Paul VI's encyclical, Humanae Vitae.

He held various august positions associated with marriage and family, teaching medical ethics, especially its theological and anthropological aspects, and serving as a member of the International Theological Commission, a position he held for two successive five-year periods.

Author of books on fundamental moral theology and numerous articles, later translated into major languages, he wrote a carefully annotated edition of all St. John Paul II’s catecheses on human love.

In 1980, John Paul II nominated him as an expert at the Synod of Bishops on marriage and family, which led to John Paul’s apostolic exhortation Familiaris Consortio. He served as dean of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute from 1981 until 1995, and was a consultant for five years to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith led by the then-Prefect (and future Pope) Joseph Ratzinger.

At the same time he taught courses and lectures at various foreign universities: from Chile to Sydney, from Navarra to Madrid, and oversaw the expansion of the John Paul II Institute internationally.

He succeeded Cardinal Giacomo Biffi as Archbishop of Bologna, and retired at the age of 77. He continued to be a member of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura and was made an honorary member of the Pontifical Academy for Life in June.

Pope Francis personally chose him to take part in the two synods on the family, in 2014 and 2015.

But he died disturbed by the aftermath of Amoris Laetitia and the disparate interpretations of the document by bishops around the world. “Only a blind man could deny there’s great confusion, uncertainty and insecurity in the Church,” he said in a recent interview. He was particularly vexed by the confusion felt among priests which he said was immense.

In one of his last talks on the state of marriage and family in the West today, Cardinal Caffarra said Satan is hurling at God “the ultimate and terrible challenge,” to show he is capable of constructing an “anti-creation” that mankind will be deceived into thinking is better than what God has created.

He warned that societies elevating abortion to a “subjective right” and equating a homosexual relationship to marriage represented the destruction of “two pillars of creation.”

In supplementary remarks, he recalled a letter he received from Sister Lucia when he was facing trials in establishing the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family.

He said he would “never forget” the last words of her letter, “words that are engraved in my heart,” in which Sister Lucia wrote “there will come a time when the decisive confrontation between the Kingdom of God and Satan will take place over marriage and the family.”

He said she underscored that those who are going to work for marriage and the family “will undergo trials and tribulations” but added: “Do not fear, Our Lady has already crushed his head.”

Cardinal Caffarra told the conference that his talk was “based on these words of Sister Lucia, and therefore on the conviction that what Sister Lucia said in those days are being fulfilled in these days of ours.”

***

The cardinal gave one of his last interviews in May this year, in which he told the Register why education is the key to protecting life, marriage and the family. See the interview here.

In January, he gave an interview to Italy's Il Foglio newspaper in which he explained why he and the other three 'dubia' cardinals consider clarification of Amoris Laetitia to be so vital. See the full interview on Catholic World Reporthere, and my summary of the interview here.

Cardinal Caffarra was a firm opponent of same-sex 'marriage'. In 2010, he issued this doctrinal note warning legalization of it would be "devastating" for society, and that Catholic politicians who support such legislation can no longer call themselves Catholic.

We pray for the continued good health of C. Burke, C. Brandmuller - true defenders of doctrine.

We thank God for others who are speaking up during this great crisis in the church.

To Mark Shea - Catholics have every right to voice their legitimate concerns for much has been going on in the Vatican that is unholy. I would be happy to give you many instances.

Posted by Peter on Monday, Sep, 11, 2017 2:16 PM (EDT):

Jean-

In response to your comment “But, now it is time for Pope Francis to appoint a new Cardinal who will be more in line with the Pope’s mission of mercy, social justice and compassion”.

Our Lord Jesus Christ himself tell us in Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.34“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own”.

What does this mean? It means as Christians we are to seek the Salvation that is inherent in the Kingdom of God because it is of GREATER value than the things of this world. The ROLE of the Clergy (INCLUDING THE POPE) is to work and strive to SAVE SOULS! After all, even ATHEISTS and POLITICIANS perform acts of “mission of mercy, social justice and compassion”!!

Posted by marina on Monday, Sep, 11, 2017 2:15 PM (EDT):

Teri Medina - First C. Meiser, now C. Caffara - both staunch defenders of the faith - both have died “suddenly” - what’s going on? I hope more info will come out about how they died - illness, or what?

Posted by judy on Monday, Sep, 11, 2017 11:34 AM (EDT):

Why on earth we don’t have Mr.Pentin’s writings on Pope’s new Motu Proprio???
The other writer’s approach on pope is too much for francis agendas. Her approach lacks the depth and balance on Vatican matter.

Posted by aptak on Monday, Sep, 11, 2017 9:55 AM (EDT):

Jean - your comments are simply nasty.

Posted by Michael O'Neill on Saturday, Sep, 9, 2017 7:40 PM (EDT):

Sad that we are loosing our champions.
We must all remember this is God’s plan,we will prevail

Posted by Barbara on Friday, Sep, 8, 2017 10:35 AM (EDT):

What a great cardinal. What strong faith”. What faithfulness to all who respect the Churchs teaching on marriage and the non negotiable respect for Life. How very sad that the cardinal suffered from cancer and that he died so suddenly. No doubt, since all of us, even a great cardinal, are humans, he must have suffered from the silence (an answer in itself) following the questions in the Dubia.
And yes, is anybody really trying to maintain that there is not widespread “confusion” among many priests and catholics, especially among those who have long belonged to the so called “culturul catholics”, “pick-and choose” catholics, “liberal” catholics etc. And as we can read on an almost Daily basis especially in the past year or so, there is great “confusion” even in the Church and in the Vatican.

Posted by Nick from Detroit on Thursday, Sep, 7, 2017 10:45 PM (EDT):

Since, most conspiracy theorists are leftists, it would not surprise me if most of the posts suggesting that the deaths of these two cardinals were more than mere coincidence, were written by lefties. In order to make traditional Catholics look bad.
This happens on conservative sites all the time. They try to sound conservative, then, throw around racist comments to make it appear that conservatives are racist. Finally, they appear as themselves, to chastise the racist remarks and sound morally superior. Sad.

Posted by EMMETT on Thursday, Sep, 7, 2017 8:09 PM (EDT):

May Cardinal Caffarra’s soul now rest in peace at the right hand of The Father.Good and faithful servant.

Posted by ps cruz on Thursday, Sep, 7, 2017 3:48 PM (EDT):

What is sad is to consider who will be appointed as his replacement. What is disgusting is not having the question of this bishop answered so that this disgusting confusion can be clarified.

Posted by Jean on Thursday, Sep, 7, 2017 9:37 AM (EDT):

May the Cardinal’s soul rest in peace. He was surely a good man of faith. But, now it is time for Pope Francis to appoint a new Cardinal who will be more in line with the Pope’s mission of mercy, social justice and compassion. The Holy Spirit gave us Pope Francis for a reason, at a time of when hate, prejudice, and injustice dominate in so many countries. Catholic Cardinals are there to work collaboratively with the Holy Father, and those who can’t do that simply must resign or, as in the case of Cardinal Burke, be demoted and appointed to an insignificant role such as raising money in Malta.

Posted by Ranger01 on Thursday, Sep, 7, 2017 4:34 AM (EDT):

Well, well, what have we here?

Posted by Mark Shea on Thursday, Sep, 7, 2017 12:40 AM (EDT):

It is a measure of the insanity of the Francis-hating Right that it is seriously suggested by multiple “faithful Catholics” here that the Holy Father is murdering the dubia cardinals. Shame on every person here entertaining such a disgusting charge.

Posted by Teri Medina on Wednesday, Sep, 6, 2017 10:34 PM (EDT):

I am beginning to have my own “dubias” about these sudden deaths. Please explain… he died of his long time illness or it was literally a
non expected sudden death? Hope the answer to MY doubts come out loud and very clear, and is not put in the back burner or never answer like Cardenal Caffara’s and Meisner’s to Pope Francis.
WHO WILL BE THE NEXT TO GO OF THE 2 Cardinals left? Very very very sad this absurd and uncharitable situation of the Pope with simply his brothers in Christ!

A great defender of the faith and of the family as ordained by God. Cardinal Meisner preceded him so recently. As much as I dread the thought and I considered it for some time during this Pontificate I believe the Cardinal’s conviction was correct. “What Sister Lucia said in those days are being fulfilled in these days of ours”. My prayers are to both faithful brave men to guide and intercede for us.

Posted by Debbie on Wednesday, Sep, 6, 2017 5:17 PM (EDT):

Requiescat in pace, Cardinal Caffarra. How deeply we mourn for you!

Posted by Nick from Detroit on Wednesday, Sep, 6, 2017 4:48 PM (EDT):

People, people, people…sheesh!
Cardinal Meisner was 83 and Cardinal Caffarra was 79. My father just passed away two months ago, suddenly, after a long illness. He was 75.
Life is precious at that age. Please, do not leap to ridiculous conspiracy theories. God Bless!

Posted by Rene Cordero on Wednesday, Sep, 6, 2017 4:40 PM (EDT):

May he rest in peace, and may he continue to pray for the Church in heaven, a Church that is in deep, deep trouble.

Posted by Kevin Rahe on Wednesday, Sep, 6, 2017 3:47 PM (EDT):

Perhaps Cardinals Caffarra and Meisner were meant to be a model of perseverance and keeping one’s peace for others of us who have appealed to priests and bishops with questions about policies and practices and even correction of our own error if we have failed to understand a matter completely or correctly, and also received no acknowledgement or reply. May their souls rest in peace.

Posted by TLM on Wednesday, Sep, 6, 2017 3:10 PM (EDT):

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in the Peace of Christ! No doubt, Dan, he did hear those beautiful words from Our Lord…...‘Well done my good and faithful servant!’

That said, this is really kind of creepy to me. Anyone know what illness he was suffering from? It’s just awfully strange that 2 Dubia Cardinals have gone to their eternal reward only months apart. Surreal!

Posted by C-Marie on Wednesday, Sep, 6, 2017 2:57 PM (EDT):

Because death was not expected, the death was sudden. One can be ill for years and yet not so ill that death is expected. God bless, C-Marie

Cardinals Burke and Brandmüller??? Dear God, please keep them safe in You. Two have died, Cardinals Meisner and Caffera, who also signed the dubia….. Will Pope Francis respond to the dubia before these last two die??? God bless, C-Marie

Posted by Paul on Wednesday, Sep, 6, 2017 12:46 PM (EDT):

God Bless Cardinal Caffarra! May our Lord Greet him with the words “Well done, my good and faithful servant”.

May God have mercy on all the Catholic Clergy who are intentionally leading the flock astray from the truth and teaching of Our Lord Jesus Christ!

Our Lady of Fatima and Akita, Have Mercy on Us…..

Posted by Botolph on Wednesday, Sep, 6, 2017 12:41 PM (EDT):

May his Eminence rest in peace. He was a very good man, a great scholar [I have some of his books on my shelves]
There is an ambiguity in Mr Pentin’s article [don’t want ambiguity do we] that could lead some to believe and even repeat that Cardinal Caffarra’s comments rightly being concerned about “abortion being considered a subjective right” and “equating homosexual relationship to marriage” were the Cardinal’s criticism of Amoris Laetitia (as if either position was stated or even hinted at within the text) They were not. Cardinal Caffarra’s criticisms were of the West’s cultural revolution/implosion.
***
This has been corrected - thank you. EP

Posted by NeoCrusader on Wednesday, Sep, 6, 2017 12:39 PM (EDT):

Two of the four dubia Cardinals are now dead? It’s only been a year, right? I dont know what to say. I’d make a joke about Pope Francis asking the Clintons for advice if this wasn’t such a serious matter.

Posted by Theo on Wednesday, Sep, 6, 2017 12:17 PM (EDT):

That’s the second of the four signers to die in the past two months. Are the Clintons working for Pope Francis?

Posted by Dan on Wednesday, Sep, 6, 2017 11:53 AM (EDT):

Well done good and faithful servant.

Posted by How long O Lord on Wednesday, Sep, 6, 2017 11:37 AM (EDT):

May the Good Lord grant Cardinal Carlo Caffarra eternal rest. Pope Francis has now allowed two good and faithful servants of the Church to go to their graves having been shunned by him for daring to ask him Catholic questions. He will answer for it.

And Cardinal Caffarra will be rewarded for his fidelity and his courageous defense of the Faith and his humility in his service to God and Holy Mother Church.

Posted by dave gaetano on Wednesday, Sep, 6, 2017 11:28 AM (EDT):

May God speedily bring Cardinal Caffarra to heaven.

Posted by Tambe Tmabe on Wednesday, Sep, 6, 2017 11:27 AM (EDT):

Well, done, Good and Faithful Servant, enter the joy of your master! From heaven, please pray for the Church, especially under this Marxist and heterodox Pope, that the Lord will not allow this period of trial to go on for long in the Church.

The Lord bless Cardinal Caffarra and keep him, the Lord make His Face to shine upon him and be gracious to him, the Lord lift up His countenance upon him and give him peace. Amen.

Posted by Alex on Wednesday, Sep, 6, 2017 10:37 AM (EDT):

St. John Fisher was the only English bishop who resisted Henry VIII but Catholicism endures to this day in England. Lets not be tempted to lose hope with this loss of another one of our courageous cardinals and remember that the faith can be preserved through just one holy and courageous person.

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Edward Pentin began reporting on the Pope and the Vatican with Vatican Radio before moving on to become the Rome correspondent for the National Catholic Register. He has also reported on the Holy See and the Catholic Church for a number of other publications including Newsweek, Newsmax,Zenit, The Catholic Herald, and The Holy Land Review, a Franciscan publication specializing in the Church and the Middle East. Edward is the author of “The Rigging of a Vatican Synod? An Investigation into Alleged Manipulation at the Extraordinary Synod on the Family”, published by Ignatius Press. Follow him on Twitter @edwardpentin